GAIA BEATS FESTIVAL
First Timer's Guide
22 to 25 January 2027 | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Welcome
If you've never been to Gaia Beats before, this is the page that gets you ready. Not just with a packing list (though that's here too), but with a feel for what the weekend is actually like.
Gaia Beats is a weekend camping festival in the mountains of Chiang Mai, set on a working hot spring, built around music, connection, and the land it sits on. It isn't a chaotic party festival and it isn't a retreat. It sits somewhere in between. People come for the music and tend to stay because of the people they meet.
Most of the crowd is a mix of long term travellers, people living in Thailand, and a growing Thai community from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai and Koh Phangan. You don't need to arrive as an expert. You just need to show up open.
How to Plan Your Trip
A simple sequence that works for almost everyone. Do it in this order and you'll land in Chiang Mai without loose ends.
01
Get your ticket
Pricing moves up in phases. The earlier you commit, the less you pay. Same all in price online, at a pop up, or at the door. No hidden fees, no booking surcharges. If you're reading this to decide, the cheapest ticket available right now is still cheaper than the next one.
02
Book your flights into Chiang Mai (CNX)
Chiang Mai International Airport is around an hour from the venue. Fly in a day or two before the festival if you can. It gives you time to shake off the travel, stock up on anything you need, and actually enjoy the city.
03
Sort your first and last nights in the city
Most people stay in one of two areas:
- Old City: Temples, older architecture, easy to walk around. More traditional feel and generally cheaper.
- Nimmanhaemin (Nimman): Cafes, co-working, a younger Thai and digital nomad crowd. Usually more expensive, closer to the university.
Either works. Book a few nights on the front end and at least one on the back end, because coming straight off a festival into a long haul flight is brutal.
04
Where to stay during the festival
Camping is awesome at Gaia Beats, and many people do it. Your ticket includes a free camping spot. Bring your own tent and pitch in the designated area. There are two camping zones, one closer to the music and one that's quieter.
If camping isn't for you, there's a good spread of accommodation in the local area. Walking distance from the venue you'll find a handful of small homestays and guesthouses. A short drive out there are hot spring resorts, farmstays, and larger hotels. A few are set up to get you to and from the site.
If AirBnb is more your style, there’s many beautiful options nearby.
Staying back in Chiang Mai city is also possible but not ideal. The commute each way eats into the experience and makes late nights difficult.
Book early. Late January is high season in Chiang Mai and local rooms fill up fast.
05
Plan how you will get to the venue
The venue is remote and that matters more on the way home than on the way there. Pick one of these and stick with it:
- Pre-booked shuttle: Daily shuttle from Chiang Mai. This is what we recommend. Easy in, easy out, no stress about getting a ride back.
- Taxi or ride-hailing app: Gets you to the venue fine. Getting one back is not reliable because of the location.
- Drive yourself: Parking is available nearby.
- Local songtaew: The cheap option. Stops at the nearby market, then a roughly 15 minute walk to the venue.
06
Pack
See the packing list further down the page. The single most common mistake in 2026 was underestimating how cold the nights get. Second most common: forgetting swimwear. The venue is a hot spring, and you'll want to use it.
First Timer Questions
The ones that actually come up
These are the questions we got asked over and over in 2026. Worth reading before you pack.
Yes. There are no card payments on site. Some vendors accept Thai QR payments. Bring cash based on how you usually spend. Food is 100 to 300 baht per meal, drinks 50 to 200 baht. The nearest ATM is about a 15 minute walk away, so sort cash before you arrive.
Colder than most people expect. Days are warm and sunny at 26 to 30 degrees. Nights drop to 12 to 18 degrees and can feel much colder when you're standing still or sleeping in a tent. Bring layers. A proper jumper, long trousers, and something warm for your feet.
Not really, and especially not late at night. If you need to be somewhere on Sunday night or Monday morning, book the shuttle in advance. If you need an ‘out-of-hours’ taxi, book it in advance! Don't plan on hailing a ride at 2am.
Signal on site can be patchy even with a Thai SIM. We're adding improved WiFi for attendees in 2027, but download your ticket, any maps, and anything else important before you arrive. Screenshots over streaming.
The site is split across a few distinct areas and takes a bit of time to make sense of. You'll find signage on arrival, and a live schedule you can pull up on your phone. Give yourself a proper walk around on day one before you try to follow a tight plan.
We run a reusable system for drinks, bowls, and cutlery, which cuts single use waste massively. Buy a Gaia Beats cup for the weekend. Borrow bowls & cutlery. Return them to a wash station. Easy once you've done it once. Staff at any bar or food stall can walk you through it.
Glossary
The names you'll see on the map and lineup. Worth a quick read so you know what people are talking about.
Stages
Synergy
The heart of the festival. A full journey from downtempo and world music into deeper, more powerful electronic sounds as day turns into night.
Horizon
Live music at sunset. Folk, indie, and world influenced bands as the energy shifts into evening.
The Bunker
A late night, bass heavy space with strong UK sound system influence. Playful, high energy, and hidden deep in the forest inside a dried up waterfall.
Kindred Caravan
A creative, intimate space that shifts throughout the day and night. Performances, theatre, comedy, and relaxed late night energy.
The Junkyard
Family focused. Workshops, creative activities, and space for kids and families to explore.
Gaia Futures
Talks, ideas, and conversations about how we can improve the world beyond the festival.
The Courtyard
An open, social workshop space with lighter, drop in sessions around movement and connection.
The Shala
A quieter, more focused space for deeper, more structured sessions and learning.
Radio Jangwa (TBC)
A vinyl-only space for eclectic, global sounds. Slower, more intentional listening.
Primal Elements (TBC)
Sauna and ice bath. Contrast, reset, reconnecting with the body.
Areas
The Hotspring
The venue is built around a natural hot spring, open to festival-goers throughout the weekend. A slower, quieter part of the site. Swimwear required.
The Market
Food vendors, drinks, and local stalls. The central social hub for eating, browsing, and running into people.
Camping Areas
Split between more social zones close to the music and quieter areas for actual sleep. Choose accordingly.
The Forest
The more immersive part of the site. Where you wander, find hidden moments, and step slightly away from the main flow.
Fire Areas
Designated spaces for late night gathering after the main stages wind down.
Transport Hub
Where you arrive, get your wristband, and transition into the festival proper.
Earth Care
Waste management, wash stations, and the people keeping the site running cleanly. Everyone plays a part here.
(click the map to open in full)
First Timer Questions
Not rules. A shared understanding of how we show up, what we value, and what we take away. Reading these before you arrive saves a lot of time once you're on site.
01
People and Planet First
We make decisions based on what's best for people and the planet, not profit alone. Gaia Beats runs as a social enterprise. Profits go back into improving the experience, supporting the community, and creating positive impact beyond the festival.
02
Grow Beyond the Weekend
What happens here shouldn't stay here. Take the ideas, the connections, and the mindset shifts home with you. Use them in your life, your community, and the world around you.
03
Be Open, Not Perfect
Come as you are. Let go of the need to get everything right. Be open to new people, ideas, and perspectives. Growth comes from trying, getting things wrong, and letting things unfold.
04
Explore, Play, Create
Follow what feels right. Start conversations, wander into the unknown, and don't take yourself too seriously. This is a space to be curious, expressive, and fully engaged with what's around you.
05
Care for the Space
Treat the space like it belongs to someone you deeply respect. Look after the land, the venue, and each other. Leave no trace. Help keep Gaia a place people can come back to.
Packing List
The 10 essentials
Bonus: something expressive to wear. A costume, a playful outfit, something that isn’t your normal Tuesday.
The non-obvious stuff
Please do not bring
Gaia is a shared space. Keeping it free from things that create risk, disruption, or division is part of why it feels the way it feels.
Getting There and Getting Home
The venue is in the mountains outside Chiang Mai. Beautiful. Not easy to leave at 2am on a whim. Read this twice.
Arrival
Fly into Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). From the airport or the city, the pre-booked shuttle is the easiest option. Taxi and ride-hailing apps work for the inbound trip, organise a return booking in advance! If you're driving, parking is available nearby.
Getting back
This is where people get caught out. The area is remote, so hailing a ride back to the city at random hours isn't reliable. Book your return transport before you arrive. The daily shuttle is the default answer. If you're driving, confirm with the person driving that they're fit to drive and rested.
On-site movement
The main site is mostly flat and walking across it takes 10 to 20 minutes. A short uphill walk takes you into the forest areas. Wear proper shoes.
Respecting the Land and Local Community
Gaia Beats happens on someone else's land, near someone else's home. How we show up matters more than what we wear.
The venue
The venue is a working wellness space, not just a festival site. Treat all buildings, spa areas, and facilities with care. Some areas may be restricted or reserved for specific use. Follow the signs and staff guidance. Keep noise down outside of designated music areas. Be polite to venue staff, always.
The local community
Local villages and community spaces sit close to the site. Move respectfully when you arrive, leave, or explore nearby. Drive carefully on local roads. If you visit places like Sahakorn Market, be polite and patient. You are a guest in the area, not just at the festival.
Thai cultural notes
Thailand is generally relaxed, but respect and politeness go a long way. A few quick notes:
- Dress modestly when you’re outside the festival or in local areas.
- Remove your shoes where expected, especially indoors.
- Ask before taking photos of locals.
- Show extra respect to older people. It reads as basic manners in Thai culture.
You don't need to overthink it. Just be aware.
Hot springs etiquette
Swimwear is required in all hot spring areas. These are shared, calm spaces. Keep things quiet and respectful, especially in the quieter sections. Follow any guidance from staff. This is a place to slow down, not a party space.
Consent and Behaviour
Gaia Beats works because people feel safe to be themselves. That only happens if everyone takes responsibility for how they show up.
- Consent matters in every interaction. Conversation, touch, photography, shared space.
- Always ask. Always respect a no.
- Be especially aware in intimate environments like the hot springs, workshops, and quieter spaces.
- Swimwear is required in the hot springs.
- On the dancefloor and late at night, stay aware of the people around you. Give space.
Substances
Gaia Beats operates in line with Thai law.
- Illegal substances are not permitted on site.
- Cannabis and other drugs are not allowed.
- No outside alcohol.
- Alcohol is available on site within set hours.
If someone looks unwell or overwhelmed, our team may step in to offer support. If you see a friend in that state, tell a staff member. We're not here to moralise, we're here to keep people safe.
One Last Thing
If you made it this far, you're probably already half in. The short version:
Gaia Beats is a weekend where strangers tend to become friends. You'll dance, you'll eat well, you'll probably spend an hour in the hot spring having a conversation you didn't expect to have. You belong here as much as anyone else who shows up.
The earlier you grab a ticket, the less you pay. Prices step up at the end of each phase and don't come back down.
See you in January